2024 ICAST New Product Showcase Winners

With ICAST in the rearview, industry professionals look toward the second half of the year with an expanded network, strengthened relationships, and most of all, optimism for the sport we all so passionately love. The show also gives us an early look into new, innovative products via its ICAST New Product Showcase, which recognizes the top product in several categories, from rods and reels all the way down to ice fishing gear. Here are your winners for 2024.

BEST OF SHOW: PENN FATHOM ELECTRIC

PENN, a brand known for making exceptional gear for saltwater anglers, has taken home the Best in Show award for the Fathom Electric reel, the first and only electric reel with an integrated battery. This marks the sixth award for Pure Fishing, the parent company to some of the top fishing brands in the industry.

“When I think about what a truly game-changing product looks like, I think of a product that alters the way we approach the sport by adding a new value or technique,” says Jon Schlosser, chief product and brand officer for Pure Fishing. “The PENN Fathom Electric is not only the first of its kind, cordless electric reel, but it makes deep dropping more accessible. I am extremely proud of the PENN team for the time they put in designing such a groundbreaking achievement.”

The PENN Fathom Electric reel is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery with a 5aH capacity, offering long-lasting performance with an optional plug-in backup. With options giving anglers a wide variety of programmable modes, each drop can be custom-set to meet the needs of the day. With key features like auto-stop for hands-free retrieves, override for manual jogging, a line counter providing true line-out measurement in feet or meters, this reel allows anglers the power and performance they need for modern fishing techniques. It has an excellent maximum winding power of 35 pounds (15.9 kilograms) and can achieve speeds of up to 750 feet per minute (varying by reel size). Engineered for versatility, the reel is optimized for deep-dropping activities, reaching depths of up to 1,000 feet, and performs exceptionally well in kite fishing and light trolling scenarios.

2024 BEST OF CATEGORY WINNERS

RODS & REels

Freshwater Reel: Shimano Vanford FA
Freshwater Rod: Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod
Saltwater Reel: Penn Fathom Electric
Saltwater Rod: Dominion E-Rod Jigging & Bottom Rod w/ Integrated Power Supply
Fly Fishing Reels: Hardy Averon Fly Reel
Fly Fishing Rods: Temple Fork Elevare
Rod & Reel Combo: St. Croix GXR Bass Systems
Fly Fishing Rod & Reel Combo: Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Fly Combo

BAITS

Freshwater Soft Lure: Z-Man Shadtron LT (Line-Through) Swimbait
Freshwater Hard Lure: Berkley Krej
Saltwater Soft Lure: Z-Man PrawnstarZ
Saltwater Hard Lure: FishLab BBZ Hard Mullet Swimbait

LINE & TERMINAL TACKLE

Fishing Line: Sufix Resolve – Ultra Thin Finesse Braid
Terminal Tackle: VMC Redline Series Tungsten Swimbait Jig
Custom Tackle and Components: Do-it Molds Hover Jig Mold
Fly Lines, Leaders, Tippets, and Line Accessories: Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Tarpon Full Clear

APPAREL

Cold Weather Technical Apparel for Men: Simms Pro Dry Suit
Cold Weather Technical Apparel for Women: AFTCO Armorloft Zip Hood
Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Women: Simms W’s Latitude Hoody
Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Men: Grudéns Tough Sun Masked Hoodie
Lifestyle Apparel for Men: AFTCO Coastal Layer Hood
Lifestyle Apparel for Women: Under Armour Fish Pro Hybrid Woven
Footwear: Under Armour Charged Shoreman Deck Boot
Eyewear: Costa 580G Gold Mirror Lens in Grand Catalina
Fly Fishing Waders and Wading Boots: Grudéns Vector Zip Stockingfoot Wader
Fly Fishing Technical & General Apparel: Grudéns Portal GORE-TEX Wading Jacket

STORAGE

Tackle Management: BKK OCD Tackle Storage System
Fly Fishing Backpacks, Bags, & Luggage: Simms Tailwind Rod & Reel Vault
Fly Fishing Chest Pack, Sling, Waist Pack & Vest: Simms Headwaters Sling Pack
Soft and Hard Coolers: Rugged Road 115